Thursday of the First Second Week of Lent
(Jeremiah
17;5-10; Luke 16: 19-31)
Although a
humorist, Mark Twain had a negative assessment of humans. Typical of his attitude is his thought, “of
all the animals, man is the only one that is cruel. He is the only one that inflicts pain for the
pleasure of doing it.” His image of the human
corresponds to what is heard in today’s readings.
Jeremiah
calls the human heart “more tortuous that all else” and “beyond remedy.” He thinks anyone who trusts in humans is “cursed.” Jesus describes such a man in the gospel parable. The rich man is so self-satisfied that he is
blind to the beggar at his door. It is
as if his face was so swollen with at that he can no longer see clearly.
Not all humans
ignore the voice of God in their conscience.
Instructed by Christ in the gospels, Christians should be attentive to its
call. We strive to treat each person
with respect. We care especially for the
weak. We even are kind to animals who are
useful to and in ways resemble humans. Christians
are hardly the only good people, but we have every reason to strive for moral
perfection.
